The concern that Elks Club members have for the Chico community is well known.

But it seems a different story for club executives, when fundraising for the club itself is involved.

Good idea. Let”s raise large sums of money by auctioning a tiny piece of Elks land on Lindo Channel greenway to competing cell phone companies. Each can contribute to the 550-watt, 25-foot stealth tower, a 10-story eyesore irradiating nearby homes, RVs, mobile homes and ballpark — but not our clubhouse.

Washington, the law and cell phone lobbyists prohibit citizens from making objections to towers based on health effects. Proponents also want to ignore Chico”s own ordinance that outlaws radiating towers within 500 feet of homes, proposing a tower within 300 feet.

Federal law says “limit workers near towers to six minutes of exposure,” but apparently it”s OK for everyone else to live under these towers, exposed 24 hours a day. If it is not dangerous, then put the tower on the Elks Club”s building, or farther north away from all homes.

We know Elks Club members would not knowingly damage their neighbors or their club”s reputation, so let”s not have a tower at all. We don”t need it. Cell phone reception is good with coverage from nearby towers. Emergency services and schools are well served by land lines and the present level of cell phone reception. In five years, satellites will make towers redundant anyway.

Why is the Elks Club asking neighbors to take the risks for which they are getting paid?